Workers Demand Social Media Rights

Employees no longer see using Facebook in the office as luxury or a business tool, but as a right, new research shows.

A quarter of employees say they would not work for a company that banned social media at work. In total, nearly one-third of employees are spending an hour or more a day on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites during work hours, a study by virtual office space franchise Intelligent Office found.

The study shows that those social media needs are part of an overall trend of employees desiring more choice in the technology they use. One-third of those surveyed would prefer to work for a company that allows them to use their own technology.

"Technology has made it possible to change the way we work, and now we simply see workers embracing the freedom to do so," Tom Camplese, Intelligent Office’s chief operating officer, told BusinessNewsDaily.

Helping to drive the desire for more technology choices is the increasing wish among employees to work from locations outside of the office.

"We are continuing to find that in order to increase mobility without lost productivity, a new breed of worker is conducting business on the go, and wants to be able to work more independently," Camplese said."Many would argue that productivity has seen a significant boost as technology has fostered the ability to conduct business on the go, anywhere, any time."

Camplese believes this is all part of a culture shift taking place in which today's workers are personalizing and customizing their work in many ways, including work style, location and technology.

"We have ultimately uncovered a dramatic shift in how people work today and how they want to work," he said. "We see this trend of employees wanting more choice and flexibility continuing into the future."

The study was based on surveys of more than 1,000 employees in the United States and Canada.

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Chad Brooks

Chad Brooks is a Chicago-based freelance writer who has nearly 15 years experience in the media business. A graduate of Indiana University, he spent nearly a decade as a staff reporter for the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago, covering a wide array of topics including, local and state government, crime, the legal system and education. Following his years at the newspaper Chad worked in public relations, helping promote small businesses throughout the U.S. Follow him on Twitter.